FORT SMITH : Popular plane show primed to take wing
Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
FORT SMITH — The weather is expected to be clear this weekend, but the skies over the city will be clouded with aircraft for the 2008 Fort Smith Regional Air Show.
Returning will be the show’s headline acts, the U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U. S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team.
There will be dozens of acts expected to attract 200, 000 people this weekend to Ebbing Air National Guard Base at Fort Smith Regional Airport.
Gates open at 8: 30 a. m., and performances will begin at 9 a. m., or when flying conditions are favorable. It’s one of the largest free-admission air shows in the country.
Event planning committee member Chuck Fawcett said when people are stopped along the highway or perched on hillsides surrounding the airport, “you know you have a great event.” Col. Kevin Wear, commander of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188 th Fighter Wing, called the show the biggest weekend event each year in Fort Smith, claiming an economic impact of $ 5. 5 million. “People will have the opportunity to look up-close at what we do,” Wear said. “With the history of the air show, we certainly will not disappoint anyone.” The show has been held in Fort Smith every two years since 1987, except for an interruption for the 1991 Persian Gulf War. As well as hosting the show with the 188 th Fighter Wing / Fort Chaffee Community Council, the 188 th has its own act, “Fire and Fury.” The 188 th has performed at each show. This year it will fly the newly acquired jet, the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The unit traded in its F-16 Fighting Falcons for the “Warthogs” last year.
Other acts involving military planes will be the recreation of the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, demonstration flights by the Air Force F-15 Eagle and the F-4 Phantom with the Air Force Heritage Flight program, the Navy’s F-18 Super Hornet and the MiG-17 F provided by Fighterjets Inc.
Along with the military planes, the air show will feature several aerobatic performances, including Matt Younkin in his Twin Beech 18. Younkin is carrying on the family tradition from his famous stunt-flying father, Bobby Younkin of Fayetteville, who was killed in an air show crash in Canada in July 2005.
Other acts include Franklin’s Flying Circus, Paul Lopez and his MX-2, Bill Leff in his vintage T-6 Texan trainer and Brett Hunter in his Pitts S-20.
Another popular attraction in years past doesn’t have wings, but it moves at almost half the speed of sound.
The Shockwave Jet Truck, a triple-engine Peterbilt truck capable of producing 36, 000 horsepower, will roar down the runway at speeds approaching 300 mph. Fawcett said the truck will gobble up 1, 100 gallons of diesel fuel in four performances this weekend.
When their eyes are not focused on the skies, show-goers can stroll the tarmac and look at several active military aircraft along with Army helicopters and various pieces of military equipment.
Paid parking on the air show grounds is $ 5 with access to South 66 th Street off Phoenix Avenue.
Free parking and shuttle bus service for the show will be at Southside High School, Phoenix Village Mall and Ben Geren Regional Park. Handicapped parking with shuttle service will be available at Southside.
Organizers are encouraging people to bring fully collapsible lawn chairs. Folding lawn chairs won’t be allowed on buses, however.
No backpacks or coolers will be allowed on the air show grounds. Concessions will be available.
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